Ekeoba, who was represented by Mrs Mette Edekobi, the Director, Special Duties and State Operations, made this known when the CRH team led by Mr Bede Eziefule, Project Director, paid her a courtesy visit in Abuja. According to her, patients’ rights are human rights, including the right to know what ailments they are being treated for and the names and effects of medications prescribed for them. “Especially those at the grassroots need to know the rights they have as patients so they can enforce them. “The agency is capable of carrying the advocacy and sensitisation to the grassroots and to other stakeholders using its offices in the 774 local government s and the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory,” Ekeoba said.

She described as lamentable, the fact that Nigerians do not ask questions concerning their health which she traced to ignorance of their rights resulting in their reliance on whatever the medical personnel decide for them. “NOA believes the sensitisation will spur Nigerians to begin to ensure, among other things that medical investigations are thoroughly done and medical personnel respect the rights of their patients. Earlier, the CRH Project Director, Bede Eziefule said that patients’ right includes those basic rules of conduct between patients and the healthcare providers as well as the institutions.

He added that the 2014 Nigerian Health Act guarantees patients’ right to information and privacy, among other rights. Eziefule identified lack of awareness and sensitisation programmes as responsible for the increased violation of patients’ rights in the country which had manifested in many forms, including disrespect and abuses during healthcare delivery services.

He said that CRH was particularly concerned about the right of maternity patients to “honourable’’ treatment by medical personnel. He said that this was currently being promoted by CRH and requesting NOA to serve on the advisory board of the project.

Source: Leadership Online